Adiya TS : O Re Piya | Bepannah FF| Bepannah TS| Bepannaah TS| Bepannaah FF

Part 1

"Zoya, aaj meri sagai hai. You have to dance!

"Deepti, dance? Tum jaanti ho na humne dance karna kabse choda hua hai? College ke baad se kabhi nahi kiya. Hum dance kaise kar sakte hain Zoya whispered to her friend.

"Main kuch nahi Jaanti. Adi! Tum hi kaho na isse! She has to dance, yaar, come on! Zo tum meri best friend ho, meri baat nahi taal sakti Deepti whined at Adi and Zoya.

"Deepti! Zoya aur Dance? Tum kyu apne engagement function ko bigaadna chahti ho? Isse dance vance kahan aata hai? Aditya replied playfully.

"Do Not Tell Me! Zoya is a champion dancer. Kabhi dance karte huye nahi dekha isse tumne? Seriously? Deepti looked at Adi with wide eyes, while Zoya stood a little flushed at the side. True, she had been an ace dancer in her college days, trained in classical dance since she was 11. But she hadn't danced since, and it had been almost 10 years. God knows if she still remembered anything!

"Zoya, jaanti hun tum kya soch rahi ho. Lekin jo talent tumhaare paas hai na, vo gap ki vajah se khatam nahi ho sakta. Ek baar Dance floor pe jaa to sahi, phir tujhe pata lagega main kya keh rahi hun. Deepti tried to convince Zoya.

Zoya looked at Deepti with pleading eyes, but Deepti only had determination and reassurance in hers. Sighing deeply, Zoya resigned. Deepti was her closest friend since college and had been ever since. Even with every twist and turn that took place in Zoya's life, Deepti had been a constant throughout. Zoya knew that if there was one thing that Deepti was, was adamant, and so she would eventually have to get on the dance floor.

"Acha theek hai, lekin hum dance kaunse gaane par karein? Zoya asked Deepti, who smiled with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Vo tu mujh par chodh de, Deepti replied, and left to find the DJ and get the song on the list. Zoya made her way to the middle of the dance floor just as Deepti stopped the music and announced on the mike for everyone to step off the dance floor. Aditya stood at the side, looking with extreme interest. He had not known that Zoya could dance, let alone that she was a trained one. This was a very interesting moment for him and he did not want to miss one moment of it.

"May I have your attention ladies and gentlemen, this is your Bride speaking! Hey, Hi, Hi, haan you can stop talking now. Yellow suit wali aunty, aap bhi! Apni bahu ki chugli 5 minute baad kar lena. Maa maine bola tha itne logon ko mat bulao. No offence to anyone that I don't know. The people who know me will know better than to take anything I say too seriously, Deepti teased.

Adi chuckled at Deepti's little monologue. Apart from her being a client of ZOSH, and Zoya's best friend, she had become close to Adi to while they were planning her wedding. He liked the girl, she was nice, playful and free-spirited, with a Bindaas attitude, which Adi admired. He often mused how Deepti and Zoya were best friends, with being so different from each other, but overtime, had come to know that while they might be poles apart externally, their views, ideologies and morals, intrinsically were very similar. With Deepti's introduction to their chapters, Adi and Zoya's relationship had taken a very significant turn, with Adi understanding Zoya at a deeper level now.

"Right! So, now, I have a VERY special treat for you, in the form of my Bestie Zoya, who will dance. College ke dinon mein Zoya was the QUEEN of dance jo kahin kho gayi thi, and ab ye meri responsibility hai ke main her Royal Highness ko vapas laun. You see, ye bhool gayi hai lekin mujhe yaad hai ke humne college mein ek pact banaya tha, jahan inki shaadi par main aur meri shaadi par ye dance kareingi. Uss time to madam ne bahut confidently keh diya tha k haan okay, kyunki isko pata tha k main dance nahi kar sakti. Lekin Zo, aaj aayi na unth pahaad ke neeche. So here is presenting, ZOYA!

A round of applause sounded all around as the attention was unanimously brought towards the beautiful girl who stood on the dance floor. Lights dimmed, and a single spotlight shone on Zoya, giving her an angelic glow around her frame. Soft music started playing, and recognising the song, Zoya's eyes snapped to her best friend, who blinked in reassurance. Zoya shut her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the music, and letting her instincts take over. And then, she let go.
O re pia, haaye, o re pia; O re pia, haaye, o re pia
O re pia, haaye, o re pia; O re pia, haaye, o re pia
Udhne laga kyun, man baawra re,
aaya kahan se, ye haunsla re,
O re pia, o re pia, haaye...
Feeling the rhythms of the song as if her own heartbeat, Zoya moved her body along with the lyrics in the routine that she had mastered a decade ago. This was her favourite song to dance to, and Deepti's favourite performance of Zoya's. Her body gracefully moved from one step to another, it was as if she was enchanted by the music. But she wasn't the only one enchanted, for one of the spectators felt equally trapped with the music and the woman who danced to the tunes of it
Taana baana taana baana
Bunti hawa, haye, bunti hawa,
Boonde bhi to aayein nahi, baaz yahan, haaye
Saazish mein shaamil saara jahan hai, har zarre zarre ki ye ilteja hai,
O re pia, o re pia, haaye, o re pia, haaye, o re pia
Adi had never seen Zoya move so freely! It was as if she had left her own body, as if her soul had escaped and was now moving on the dance floor like a gust of wind. He could see, feel and experience the difference between the Zoya he saw everyday and the Zoya on the dance floor at that moment. He could see the restraints that every day-Zoya had imposed on herself. The boundaries, the control she had set. It was as if she was a prisoner in her daily life, who had been set free on this 12 X 12 dance floor. The grace that she moved her body with, the poise, the confidence that overflowed out of her. If this Zoya appeared in front of anyone in a daily life situation, she could ruin the confidence of others without even trying. So, who was the real Zoya? The one who he saw every day or this powerful, strength magnet he was witnessing at the moment?
Nazrein bolein duniya tole, dil ki zubaan haaye, dil ki zabaan
Ishq maange, ishq chahe, koi toofaan, haaye
Chalna aahiste, ishq naya hai, pehla ye vaada humne kiya hai,
O re pia, haaye, o re pia, haaye, o re pia,

Pia, re pia.

Zoya reconnected with her old self on that dance floor. It had been so long, she had felt like she had disconnected with herself over all these years, lost that part of her and then finally found herself today. She let go of her past, her scars, her sorrows, her worries and everything that held her back. On that dancefloor, the society, her family, her dead-husband, her shortcomings, the questions she was trying to answer, nothing mattered. It was her and her dance. A song close to her heart, and a routine she was perfect at. A routine she knew she was perfect at. This was one thing no one could take from her. No one could come and say "Zoya, you were inadequate. No one could challenge this. This was whole. This was complete. This was hers. And boy she took full advantage of that. She danced.

Nange pairon pe angaaron, chalti rahi, haaye, chalti rahi.
Lagta hai ke gairon mein main palti rahi, haaye,
Le chal vahan jo, mulk tera hai,
jaahil zamaana dushman mera hai
o re pia, haaye, o re pia, haaye, o re pia, haaye,

o re pia, haaye, o re pia, haaye, o re pia

It's said that dance is the most powerful form of expression, especially for those who cannot say the reason for their pain, or even admit the fact that they are in pain, out loud. And three people in that hall experiences the truth in this statement for themselves in those 5 minutes- Zoya, the expresser, Aditya, the receiver, and Deepti, the witness. While two of them had been through the pain, faced it first-hand, the third had seen her once-upon-a-time extremely lively and chirpy friend lose her spark and be reduced to a lifeless, emotionless mortal. Through that dance, Deepti saw a glimpse of the Zoya Siddiqui that she had become friends with. There was a glimpse of that spark, that electricity that Zoya had once possessed, that was now buried deep inside her, struggling to come out, but unable to overcome the 16 thousand barriers Zoya had put up. She saw Zoya let go of herself, and her pain, even though for just an instant, and live. She saw the real Zoya crying out for help. To be saved from the pain, the sorrow the world had gifted her. And that gave her hope. Hope that maybe, her friend could be brought back. That there was a chance of bringing back happiness into the life of Zoya Siddiqui. And Deepti knew just how to do that. Aditya Hooda.

Writer: Sanjana Mehra

Pic: IG

Part 2

Aditya stood near the stage, lost in his own thoughts. The side of Zoya that he had seen on the dance floor had baffled him to say the least. The Zoya he saw on the dancefloor was confident, comfortable and free. The Zoya he had met in the ZOSH office would stumble her way while making a coffee. Had Yash really changed her that drastically? Come to think if it, she was an extremely ferocious female in that shop when they were looking for gifts for Yash and Pooja. what was he supposed to believe? He was so involved inside his own head, that he did not see Deepti approach him. She had observed and seen the tornado of thoughts on Adi's face and felt that it would be the perfect time to talk to him.

Deepti: "Aaj dance floor par jo thi vo Asli Zoya thi Aditya. tumne mujhse poocha tha na? ke hum dono itne alag hain hum best friends kaise ho sakte hain? Hum alag the nahi Adi, bilkul ek jaise the. Yash ek acha insaan tha, lekin usne mujhse meri best friend cheen li. Pehle shaadi karke, aur phir usse dhoka deke. Maine Zoya ko itna toota hua tab bhi nahi dekha tha jab Wasim uncle ne Zoya aur Yash ke rishte ko accept karne se mana kar diya tha. Zoya, vo ek 100% Papa's Princess hai aur uske papa hi uske rishte ke khilaaf the. Aaj mere samajh mein aata hai kyu, lekin it's too late. Adi, agar main tumse kuch maangu to tum doge?

Aditya looked at Deepti in surprise, "kya chahti ho tum Deepti?

Deepti: "Mujhe meri best friend vapis chahiye Adi. Zoya ke andar jo dard hai vo bahar nikaalna hai mujhe. Main usse bahut achi tarah jaanti hoon. Apne khayal apne andar chupaa kar rakhne ki buri bimaari hai hum dono ko. Maine koshish ki, ke vo mujhse share kare, magar usne nahi kiya. Adi, tumse better usse koi nahi samajh sakta iss time par, tum dono ek hi situation mein ho Adi. Please I beg you, ek baar usse baat karo. Blame nahi. Yash aur Pooja ki galati thi, Zoya ki nahi. Agar Zoya ismein kisi bhi tarah se zimmedaar hai to Adi ye zaroor yaad rakhna ke tum bhi ho. tumne bhi Pooja par bharosa kiya, tumne bhi Dhokha khaaya aur tumhaari wife ne bhi meri best friend ki zindagi barbaad kar di. Main tumpar koi ilzaam nahi laga rahi hun Adi, bas itna keh rahi hoon ke agar Yash ek different decision le sakta tha, to Pooja bhi le sakti thi. Tum iski vajah se Zoya ko kyu kos rahe ho?

Aditya stood rooted to the spot. Whatever Deepti was saying was true, but he had been so blind in his own grief that he just looked for a let out. Zoya was the easiest target and he vent out his frustrations on her, never stopping to think that she too was in the same situation as he was, and how his anger might affect her. Unable to meet Deepti's eyes, he left from there. It was time to make up for his mistake, and he would do that by following Deepti's words and giving Zoya her best friend back in the true sense. He searched for Zoya, getting a little worried when she wasn't present in the hall at all. He asked the staff, the guests and whoever passed by him if they had seen Zoya, getting a negative answer each time. He tried to call her, but she wouldn't pick up. An idea struck him, and he dialled another number, waiting anxiously as it rang.

"Hello? a sleepy voice answered from the other side.

"Rajveer! Adi bol raha hun. Sun

"Adi! Kahan hai tu yaar? Tune last Sunday ka boys' night bhi cancel kar diya. Phone bhi nahi uthaa rha? Zosh mein bhi nahi the tum dono. Ho kahan? Rajveer ranted not giving Aditya a chance to speak

Aditya: "Zoya aur main Hydrabad mein hain Rajveer, uski friend ki engagement hai aur Zosh is the event manager, but tu vo sab chodh, mujhe ek help chahiye.

Rajveer: "Haan bol na?
Aditya: "Rajveer Zoya ka phone trace kar aur mujhe uska location send kar. Abhi issi waqt please
Rajveer: "I'm on it, but sab theek to hai? Main aaun vahan? Zoya kisi problem mein hai kya? Tum dono ko bola tha na, security services ko approach karo. Tumhe jo fasaana chahta tha vo bahut shaatir hai Adi, samjho meri baat ko
Aditya: "RV Zoya is fine. Well, physically theek hai vo. Emotionally ka pata nahi. But mil nahi rahi issiliye tumhe call kiya.
Rajveer: "tune phir kuch bola usse?!
Aditya: "what? No, main kyu bolunga? But thanks for the vote of confidence friend'.
Rajveer: "check your phone location bhej diya.
Aditya clicked on the link and was surprised to see that he was already at the location.
Aditya: "RV tune galati se mere phone ka location to nahi bhej diya? Kyunki iske according I'm already at the location. Zoya yahan nahi hai.
Rajveer: "Nahi location Zoya ka hi hai. Ab ya to Zoya vahin kahin hai ya phir uska phone uske paas nahi hai, which I find hard to believe kyunki uska phone uske vo pouch mein hota hai aur vo pouch humesha uske haath mein latka hota hai. Now jaa aur dhoond usse. And mujhe message kar dena.
Aditya disconnected the call and went looking for Zoya again. She was nowhere in the hall but then Aditya saw the flight of stairs leading up to the terrace. He went upstairs and saw Zoya standing at the railing, overlooking the city. Aditya messaged Rajveer letting him know and then turned his phone off.
Aditya: "Zoya?
Zoya fidgeted a little before turning around, and Aditya knew that she had been crying. He moved to stand beside her and wondered how to approach the topic.
Aditya: "dance bahut khoobsurat karti ho tum.
Zoya: "Shukriya. Bahut time ke baad kiya
Aditya: "choda kyu tha?
Zoya: "Yash ko dancing pasand nahi thi. Unhe ek jagah par baith kar shayari sunna, ghazal sunna pasand tha. Movies, music, dancing mein koi dilchaspi nahi thi. Unke saath rehte rehte kab dance peeche choot gaya pata hi nahi chala.
Aditya: "aur kya kya chodh diya tumne Yash ke liye
Zoya: "pehle ka nahi pata. Magar unke jaane ke baad, jeena...
Aditya: "Maine bhi
Abhi abhi bhoole bhi na the tumhe,

Khayal banke phir, tum aa gaye,

Ehsaas jo the dil mein kayi ankahe

Lafzon pe vo phir yun, aa gaye...

Zoya: "Aditya?

Aditya: "haan?

Zoya: "galati kiski thi?

Aditya: "matlab?

Zoya: "ye sab jo hua, usmein kiski galati thi? Unki? Jinhone bewafai ki? Lekin unhone bewafai kyun ki? Vo bure insaan to nahi the. Na hi kabhi unhone humaare liye bura chaha, humaara dil kehta hai. Toh ye sab jo hua, kyu hua? Ammi kehti hain ke shayad hum achi biwi nahi ban paye. Lekin humein to pata tak nahi tha ke hum achi biwi nahi hain. Yash humaare saath humesha muskuraate huye, haste huye rehte the. Humein koi ilm hi nahi tha ke Yash ko hum voh sahaara, vo apnapan nahi de pa rahe hain jiski unhe zaroorat hai.

Aditya: "galati kiski thi kiski nahi, ye main nahi jaanta Zoya. Shayad humaari, shayad unki, shayad sabki, shayad haalaat ki. Koi measurement nahi hai, jisse compare kar sakun. Mere according main Pooja ka best friend tha, jaise vo meri thi. Hum bachpan se saath the, aur main humesha se aisa hi tha. Issi Adi se usse pyaar hua tha, magar vo pyaar kab khatam ho gaya mujhe pata hi nahi chala. Shayad kuch umeedein uski bhi thi jo maine poori nahi ki. Lekin mujhe pata bhi nahi tha ke main aisa kuch kar raha hun. Usne kabhi kuch kaha hi nahi. Aur main samajh nahi paya. Apni best friend ki ankahi baatein nahi samajh paaya. Shayad ye meri galati thi.

Saanson ki sar-zameen par Barsaat laa gaye,

Ek jhapki mein tere sau, khwaab aa gaye,

Bepannaah, Bepannaah, Pyaar hai tumse,

Bepannaah, Bepannaah, Pyaar hai tumse. ..

Zoya: "lekin unhone humein kabhi kuch kaha kyun nahi. Ya shayad kaha tha. Vo humein bataane ki koshish kar rhe the lekin hum samajh nahi paaye

Aditya: "toh ek baar aur koshish nahi kar sakte the kya? Ek baar saaf saaf nahi keh sakte the ke Adi aisa nahi aisa karo. Ya Adi meri kuch aur umeedein bhi hain. ek aur baar? Unhe samajh nahi paaye ye shayad hum dono ki kamzori thi Zoya, lekin dhokha dene ki, aur apne rishte ki maryaada laanghne ki galati aur kamzori unki thi. Aur iss baat ke gunhegaar vo dono hain.

Zoya: "Roz ek hi sawaal saamne aa kar khada ho jaata hai Aditya, kya unhone humse kabhi bhi pyaar kiya tha?

Aditya: "kiya tha Zoya, un dono ne hum dono se ek baar to pyaar kiya tha. Lekin usse nibhaa nahi paye, aur humse bhi nibhaane ka haq cheen kar chale gaye.

Maanti hun khuda tujhi ko, tu hi to rehbar mera,

Ab se khaalipan mein bhi tu, paas mere khada,

Tu hai nahi yahan, ye na yakin hua, kaise karun ye khud se bayaan

Bikhri hun har jagah, main ret ki tarah, na mere dard ki hai dawa...

Zoya: "Zindagi se nafrat karne ka dil karta hai. Lekin shayad pyaar ke saath saath vo karne ki kaabiliyat bhi kho chuke hain hum. Kya aapko lagta hai ke kabhi phir se pyaar kar paayeinge?

Aditya: "Iss sawaal ka jawaab to main bhi dhoond raha hun. Jis din mil jayega, uss din bata doonga.

Toot ke bikhra pada hun, saans lena bhi hai saza,

Jeene mein ab kya rakha hai, mar raha sau dafa,

Kaisi ye saazishein, roothi hain ranjishein, leti hai karvatein zindagi,

Ab kis morh par aake ruka hun main, na koi rah hai na pata...

Zoya: "Ab hum kya karein Aditya?

Aditya: "apni zindagi mein aage badhogi tum Zoya. Apni life ka ek naya start karogi. Tumaare paas Zosh hai, Zoya, tumhaari family hai, dost hain, Noor, tumhaare Ammi-Abbu, Deepti, kitna kuch hai.

Zoya: "aapko lagta hai ke hum kar paayeinge?

Aditya: "Haan. Poora yakeen hai

Zoya and Aditya stood there on the terrace for a long time, in complete silence. Having let their deepest thoughts out, just having someone to listen to, talk to, someone to understand and empathise, not sympathise, they both felt different. There was no need of words, there was a sense of comfort in the silence, and they soaked it up. When they both finally returned downstairs, Deepti's eyes sought the two of them immediately, and she could feel it. There was a change in Zoya's demeanour; a sincerity in Adi's smile. Maybe, just maybe, her wish would be fulfilled. 

Epilogue

The hall was decorated with a colour scheme of white and gold. At least 70 people were running around from place to place. The entire hall was decorated with flowers, white Carnations, Roses and Yarrows, on a background of Arborvitae. Yellow coloured lights shone in the entire hall, the walls covered with beautifully and artistically put up curtains.
Mona: Arre bhaiya ye lights abhi tak on kyun nahi huye hain? jaldi karo, Reception shuru hone ka waqt ho raha hai.
Mithilesh Ji: Arre khaane ka intazaam ho gaya kya? Kitna samay lagega?

People were literally floating from place to place, trying to make all the preparations the best. Finally, all the preparations were complete, and guests started arriving. The team of ZoSh stood by the doors, welcoming the people, directing them to their places. Each detail of the venue, the event was planned to the miniscule, not even a petal out of the place. The bride and the groom, the newlyweds arrived at the top of the stairs, flanked by their siblings and best friends on either side. The groom held his hand out for his bride to take, which she did with a wide smile on her face. They made their way to the bottom of the steps and took their place on the stage which had been beautifully and artistically set up for them. A very elegantly written banner reading "Adi and Zo" put up proudly behind them. While they posed for pictures with friends and family, the music calmed down and someone cleared their throat on the mike. 1
"ladies and gentlemen, almost 2 saal pehle, bikul aisi hi setting mein, inhi event organisers ke saath meri shaadi ki celebrations chal rhi thi. I will be honest, ussi din mujhe pata chal gaya tha ke ye din bhi aayega. So aaj main poori taiyaari ke saath aayi hoon. Zoya, tu jaanti hai I'm a hopeless dancer, so, care to join in the mid?"
Yes, you guessed it right guys, it was Deepti. Deepti handed the mike back to the DJ, Akanksha dimed the lights and a single spotlight fell on Deepti. As the melody filled the hall, Deepti looked up to catch Zoya's eyes and smiled a soft smile at her, which Zoya reciprocated with a bright one of her own. She turned to look at Aditya, who was intently looking at her, as a little moisture gathered in her eyes. Zoya silently thanked her Allah for the beautiful family that he had blessed her with. Her parents, her in-laws, her siblings and her best friend. Silently, as if understanding her unspoken emotions, Adi held her hand and squeezed it tight, promising to never let go. They both then directed their attention to the young woman dancing on the stage, a dedication to the new beginning of her best friend.
O re pia, haaye, o re pia; O re pia, haaye, o re pia

O re pia, haaye, o re pia; O re pia, haaye, o re pia

Udhne laga kyun, man baawra re,

aaya kahan se, ye haunsla re,

O re pia, o re pia, haaye...

Once again, the song filled the air, it was a similar occasion with a change in the characters playing the parts. Last time's performer was this time's bride and her relationships were being celebrated. The happiness that had re-entered their life after a long time of heartbreak and pain. Deepti danced freely on the stage, an air of happiness and warmth surrounded her as she danced. She was never a great dancer, but here it wasn't a couple of steps on the beat of music. She expressed. She expressed her happiness, her elation at the turn her best friend's life had taken. Her happiness turned into beats of their own, and her feet and hands followed that beat.
Taana baana taana baana

Bunti hawa, haye, bunti hawa,

Boonde bhi to aayein nahi, baaz yahan, haaye
Saazish mein shaamil saara jahan hai, har zarre zarre ki ye ilteja hai,
O re pia, o re pia, haaye, o re pia, haaye, o re pia
Turning her hands into different Mudras, she achieved each step perfectly, leaving her spectators spell-bound. Zoya, who had reconnected with her old passion was so proud of the performance, and the emotions that Deepti's dance evoked in her own self. It took all of her self-control to stay where she was and not go and join Deepti on the floor. Due to the circumstances her marriage had been solemnised last time, there were no functions, no celebrations. It was a very lonely time wherein she had wished so badly that her friends and family were present. But the situation had not allowed it. And now, here, she was surrounded by all those she held dear, and so many that she had grown close to over the years. It was her second chance at love, at happiness, at life and she considered herself so extremely lucky to have that with Adi, the man of her dreams, literally. Yash had been a good husband, a nice man, and had loved her a lot. He'd tried to provide everything she could ever desire. But he had been unable to become HER man, her partner. And neither had he allowed her to become his. Maybe, just maybe if he had tried to talk to her about his problems instead of being afraid of breaking her heart or her hopes or whatnot, maybe if he'd given her a chance to be his friend, life could have been different. She wouldn't have suffered. She could have done without the heartbreak and the pain, if she was honest. But then she wouldn't be here. With Adi, who was a partner in so many more ways. He had hurt her, shouted, screamed blamed her for so many things that she had no fault in. He was mean and had shown her a side of man that she had never imagined, let alone seen. But, he had made her strong, and able. Able to be self-sufficient. He had never protected her from the harsh truth of the world. Rather he made sure she was faced with it. But not alone. Never alone. Directly or indirectly he had always supported her. Be it Zosh, the murder mystery, Mahi or her own insecurities. He'd always been there. He was a partner. And she was thankful that it was him and not Yash, with who she'd be spending the rest of her life with.
Nazrein bolein duniya tole, dil ki zubaan haaye, dil ki zabaan
Ishq maange, ishq chahe, koi toofaan, haaye
Chalna aahiste, ishq naya hai, pehla ye vaada humne kiya hai,
O re pia, haaye, o re pia, haaye, o re pia,
Pia, re pia.
Back on the dance floor, Deepti was now joined by Mudra, her husband. While she was still the star, he was by her side, supporting her through each step, just like he had promised to. Their steps matched each other and complimented each other perfectly. It was them against the world. Zoya's happiness knew no bounds to see the perfect balance of you and me that her best friend shared with her life partner- it looked like Deepti had found her own Adi too. As the song progressed, Zoya recognised, it was moving to her favourite part, a part she connected with the most. Enough was enough, she could not stand there and miss dancing on her favourite part. It was her reception after all, she deserved her dance. Looking at Adi with puppy dog eyes, and confusing him for a second, Zoya stepped down from the stage, pulling Adi- whose hand was still clasped in hers, their fingers intertwined with each-others', a perfect fit- along with her. Adi followed, finally understanding where she was going. Once that she had broken that spell on Deepti's wedding, lost the burden that she carried with her everywhere during that chat with Adi, it had been a walk back uphill to become a little modified version of the old Zoya. And my word, there was a massive change. The new Zoya was a lot more happy and chirpy, bringing happiness along with her to every person, and dance and Zoya had become inseparable once again. She and Adi now spent a majority of the time together, more harmonious than before, which eventually led to a beautiful friendship. With their past history, they understood each other at a deeper level, and helped each other to accept their past and move on. Zoya's dance was like a therapy for both of them, dancing helped her express herself, and it mesmerised Adi, making him forget all the worries and sadness in his life. Sometimes he would join her, while other times he would just watch. Zoya left Adi's hand and stepped onto the dance floor, easily slipping into the routine, dancing in rhythm and coordination with Deepti. Their expressions, their movements so graceful and poised that the attention of the entire hall was held by the girls as though bound in prison cells.
Nange pairon pe angaaron, chalti rahi, haaye, chalti rahi.
Lagta hai ke gairon mein main palti rahi, haaye,
Mudra and Adi stepped behind their beautiful wives, holding their hands and swirling them around into their chests, moving themselves in actions complementary to their wives', and staring so deep into each-others' eyes that it made their audience feel the depth of their love, as well as like they were interrupting a very profound and special moment between the couples.
Le chal vahan jo, mulk tera hai,
jaahil zamaana dushman mera hai
o re pia, haaye, o re pia, haaye, o re pia, haaye,
o re pia, haaye, o re pia, haaye, o re pia.
As the music closed, a round of applause filled the entire hall, breaking the two couples out of their own worlds and bringing them back to reality. Radiant smiles reflected on both the girls' faces as they held each other, and their men looked at them with love shining in their eyes like a candle in a dark room. Zoya turned around to face Adi, her hand found his and held it tightly as a million words were exchanged between them, without a single sound. Happiness was back in their lives, and though life was not a bed of Roses, as they had already seen so many thorns, they knew that they would be with each other to overcome those difficulties together. Forever and beyond.